Three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation of Paleogene salt structures in the western Kuqa foreland thrust belt

Li, Jianghai; Zhang, Yu; Wang, Dianju

doi:10.1016/s1876-3804(20)60006-4

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Both the regional geological structure analysis and the structural simulation experiments show that if there is a regional distribution of salt rock as an important décollement layer in the fold orogenic belt and its foreland basin, the strata will undergo obvious structural stratification deformation in the vertical direction (Figures 5, 6) (Wang et al, 2010;Yin et al, 2011;Xu et al, 2012;Wu et al, 2014;Yang, 2017;Neng et al, 2018;Li, 2019;Li et al, 2020;Sun et al, 2021;Xu et al, 2021). The results of these experiments well reflect the regional structural characteristics of the northern margin of the western Kuqa Depression (Figure 8).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The discrete element method (DEM) has been applied to the study of geological and geophysical problems in recent decades (Hardy et al, 2009;Yin et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2015;Morgan, 2015;Botter et al, 2016;Buiter et al, 2016;Morgan and Bangs, 2017;Li, 2019;Li et al, 2020;Xu et al, 2021). A full, detailed description of the theory behind this modeling approach and its application to geological problems is given by Morgan (2015) and Li C. et al (2017Li C. et al ( , 2018Li C. et al ( , 2021, Li (2019).…”

Section: Experimental Methods and Model Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, based on structural analysis of seismic profiles with the application of several structural analysis techniques, such as the interpretation or balanced analysis of seismic profiles (Li and Qi, 2012;Neng et al, 2012;Neng et al, 2013;Yu et al, 2015;Hou et al, 2019), the area-depth-strain method (Xie et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2017), and the Coulomb wedge theory (Suppe, 2007;Lin et al, 2017), and structural simulated techniques, such as the sandbox physical simulation (Wang et al, 2010;Yin et al, 2011;Li and Qi, 2012;Xu et al, 2012;Wu et al, 2014) and numerical simulation (Wang et al, 2010;Xu et al, 2012;Li W. et al, 2017;Duan et al, 2017;Li, 2019;Li et al, 2020), further understanding has been obtained on the research of structures in the Kelasu structural belt. In many compressional salt-bearing basins around the world, the rock salt, as the important décollement layer, has been demonstrated to have important impact on regional structural evolution (Cotton and Koyi, 2000;Wu et al, 2014;Wu et al, 2015b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Salt Thickness on the Structural Deformation of Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin: Insights From Discrete Element Models

Yin

et al. 2021

Front. Earth Sci.

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The salt layer is critical for the structural deformation in the salt-bearing fold-and-thrust system, which not only acts as the efficient décollement layer but also flows to form salt tectonics. Kuqa Depression has a well-preserved thin-skinned fold-and-thrust system with the salt layer as the décollement. To investigate the effects of salt thickness on the structural deformation in the Kuqa Depression, three discrete element models with different salt thicknesses were constructed. The experiment without salt was controlled by several basal décollement dominant faults, forming several imbricate sheets. The experiments with salt developed the decoupled deformation with the salt layer as the upper décollement (subsalt, intrasalt, and suprasalt), significantly similar to the Kuqa Depression along the northern margin of Tarim Basin. Basal décollement dominant imbricated thrusts formed at the subsalt units, while the monoclinal structure formed at the suprasalt units. The decoupled deformation was also observed in the tectonic deformation graphics, distortional strain fields, and max shear stress fields. However, the salt layer was thickened in the thick salt model, and the salt thickness of the thin salt model varied slightly because the thin salt weakened the flowability of the salt. The lower max shear stress zone was easily formed in the distribution region of salt under the action of compression stress, which is conducive to the flow convergence of salt and the crumpled deformation of interlayer in salt. The results are well consistent with the natural characteristics of structural deformation in the Kuqa Depression. Our modeling result concerns the structural characteristics and evolution of salt-related structures and the effects of salt thickness on the structural deformation in the compressional stress field, which might be helpful for the investigations of salt-related structures in other salt-bearing fold-and-thrust belts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Experimental Methods and Model Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of Salt Thickness on the Structural Deformation of Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin: Insights From Discrete Element Models

Yin

et al. 2021

Front. Earth Sci.

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“…Compared with physical simulation, numerical simulation is not limited by site and thus has high experimental repeatability. In addition, it is more convenient to set boundary conditions and material parameters, so it has been widely used in structural research in recent years (Li et al, 2020; Sarfarazi et al, 2014). Some studies have been performed by predecessors using finite element numerical simulation to reveal the evolution characteristics of strike‐slip pull‐apart basins (Bertoluzza & Perotti, 1997; Gölke et al, 1994; Li et al, 2009; Petrunin & Sobolev, 2008; Wang et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fault propagation in pull‐apart basins and its implication on depocenter migration: A discontinuum‐based numerical study

Li,

Huang

2023

Geological Journal

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Understanding of fault propagation in pull‐apart basins is important due to its control on the depocenter migration, which is a common characteristic of pull‐apart basins; nevertheless, the evolution law of faults in the pull‐apart basin is not very clear. Most studies based on physical simulations have rarely paid attention to the relationship between fault propagation and migration of the depocenter. In this study, we simulate the fault propagation in the underlapping, neutral and overlapping releasing bend via the discrete element simulation method and discuss the corresponding migration of the depocenter. In this paper, more parameters (maximum shear force, distribution of tensile contact force, measuring stress) were used together to find out the evolution law of faults in line with natural basins. The results reveal the process of fault propagation, which has not been proposed in the previous simulating and case studies: the fault propagates from the ends of the master faults to the centre of the releasing bend and then proceeds externally. Consequently, the depocenter of the basin, which has undergone migration, experiences a transition from the dual depocenter state at the ends of the master faults to being a single depocenter at the centre of releasing bend and finally further expands in an outward direction. The characteristics of fault development and depocenter migration for the Khanguet Sidi Neji‐Gafsa (KSG) Basin, the Vienna basin and the Gulf of California are in accord with the results observed in the simulation. This study provides a new understanding of the fault propagation in pull‐apart basins and can assist in the interpretation of the evolutionary stages that pull‐apart basins undergo.

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“…Due to strong tectonic compression, the Keshen gas field mainly developed high and steep subsalt structures (Zeng et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2019;Li et al, 2020). The structural style and fracture system are complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic Seepage Mechanism of Gas and Water in Ultra-Deep Fractured Sandstone Gas Reservoirs of Low Porosity: A Case Study of Keshen Gas Field in Kuqa Depression of Tarim Basin, China

et al. 2022

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To study the microscopic seepage mechanism of gas and water in fractured sandstone gas reservoirs of low porosity, this kind of reservoir in the Keshen gas field, Kuqa depression of Tarim basin in China, was taken as an example. Based on rock samples and microscopic visualization technology, nuclear magnetic resonance experiments of saturated water–gas drive and CT scanning experiments of saturated gas–water drive were conducted. The seepage mechanism of water invasion during the gas development were simulated. Subsequently, the distribution of irreducible water saturation and the influence factors on the efficiency of drive were analyzed. The results show that the distribution of gas and water is mainly related to structures of matrix pores, fracture development pattern, and density. The main factors resulting into good reservoirs include large matrix pores and high angle fractures, low irreducible water saturation, and high separation between gas and water. The efficiency of water drive is positively correlated with fracture porosity and dip angle. High angle fractures can effectively improve the seepage capability and then increase the efficiency of water drive. Besides, the great proportion of large pore size in matrix, high fracture dip, porosity, and density can also improve the efficiency of water drive. Therefore, for the development of fractured sandstone gas reservoirs of low porosity, the study of matrix pores and fractures is quite important since it can provide guidance for the efficient deployment of wells. The increase of fracture density is significant by large-scale sand fracturing in order to improve the efficiency of water drive. It is necessary to strictly control the gas production rate of the gas reservoir and delay the water invasion rate as far as possible. In case of serious waterlogging, shut-in all wells in gas reservoirs is a choice to strengthen the gas–water imbibition between fractures and matrix, which can improve the recovery of the gas reservoir.

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Three-dimensional discrete element numerical simulation of Paleogene salt structures in the western Kuqa foreland thrust belt

Cited by 8 publications

References 14 publications

Effects of Salt Thickness on the Structural Deformation of Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin: Insights From Discrete Element Models

Effects of Salt Thickness on the Structural Deformation of Foreland Fold-and-Thrust Belt in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin: Insights From Discrete Element Models

Fault propagation in pull‐apart basins and its implication on depocenter migration: A discontinuum‐based numerical study

Microscopic Seepage Mechanism of Gas and Water in Ultra-Deep Fractured Sandstone Gas Reservoirs of Low Porosity: A Case Study of Keshen Gas Field in Kuqa Depression of Tarim Basin, China

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